History: Great Economic Prosperity Essay

Submitted By sophiewinn
Words: 1893
Pages: 8
Open Document
The KKK and racial problems
The Ku Klux Klan was basically based in the south of America. Here they targeted those set free after the American Civil War - the African Americans. The KKK had never considered the former slaves as being free and terrorised Africa American families based in the South. America experienced great economic prosperity during the 1920's but not much of it filtered to the South. Racism mixed with anger at their economic plight formed a potent cocktail.
Many different groups had emigrated to America over the years. One group - the Blacks - had been brought there against their will and after the success of the northern states during the Civil War and the freeing of the Blacks from slavery in 1865, a sinister group was established which was designed to spread fear throughout the Black population that still lived in the southern states. This was the KKK. Only WASP’s could belong to it — WhiteAnglo-Saxon Protestants. It is a common myth that the KKK targeted only the Blacks - also hated were the Jews, Catholics, liberals etc but most hatred was directed against the poor black families in the south who were very vulnerable to attack. A meeting of the KKK in 1922
The leader of the KKK in the 1920’s was a dentist called Hiram Wesley Evans whose name in the KKK was Imperial Wizard. The KKK were a violent organisation. The white hooded KKK burnt churches of the black population, murdered, raped, castrated etc and they were rarely caught as most senior law officers in the South were high ranking KKK men or sympathetic with their aims - which was a white protestant south. Even white people who had contacts with the blacks had reason to fear the KKK.
The Black Americans tried to fight back using non-violent methods. The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) asked Washington for new laws to help combat the KKK violence but received very little, if any, help. In the 1920’s Black Americans started to turn to the ‘Back to Africa’ movement which told blacks that they should return to their native America. This was started by Marcus Garvey but the whole movement faltered when he was arrested for fraud and sent to prison.

Prohibition and the Gangsters
Prohibition and the gangsters are an integral part of America's history in the 1920's.America experienced the Jazz Age and the young who formed the basis of this period's fame wanted alcohol.
The 18th Amendment had banned the sale, transportation and manufacture of alcohol inAmerica. But it was clear to some, that millions neither wanted this law nor would respect it. There was obviously a huge market for what in the 1920's was an illegal commodity. It was the gangsters who dominated various cities who provided this commodity. Each major city had its gangster element but the most famous was Chicago with Al Capone. Al Capone
Capone was "Public Enemy Number 1". He had moved to Chicago in 1920 where he worked for Johnny Torrio the city's leading figure in the underworld. Capone was given the task of intimidating Torrio's rivals within the city so that they would give up and hand over to Torrio their territory. Capone also had to convince speakeasy operators to buy illegal alcohol from Torrio.
Capone was very good at what he did. in 1925, Torrio was nearly killed by a rival gang and he decided to get out of the criminal world while he was still alive. Torrio handed over to Capone his 'business'.
Within 2 years, Capone was earning $60 million a year from alcohol sales alone. Other rackets earned him an extra $45 million a year.
Capone managed to bribe both the police and the important politicians of Chicago. He spent $75 million on such ventures but considered it a good investment of his huge fortune. His armed thugs patrolled election booths to ensure that Capone's politicians were returned to office. The city's mayor after 1927 was Big Bill Thompson - one of Capone's men. Thompson said
"We'll not only reopen
Show More

Related Documents: History: Great Economic Prosperity Essay

Why Is Prohibition Important In The Great Gatsby

as everybody knows the roaring twenties, was the time period of which The Great Gatsby took place. This time period has very similar characteristics that are found in the book. Such as, all the prosperity and economic growth that is going on throughout the novel. In fact, the Jazz Age was really important in history as it lead to improvements in the standards of living, economic growth, and of course the notorious Great Depression. During the 1920’s, many consumer goods were being marketed by…

Words 546 - Pages 3

Adam Smith Influence on Economic Theory Essay examples

of Adam Smith considered so crucial in the development of economic thought? Adam Smith is widely regarded as the father of economics as a social science, and is perhaps best known for his work The Wealth of Nations. Throughout this work Smith states and informs towards his belief that society is not at its most productive when ruled over by rules and limitations with regards to trade, and that in order for markets to maximise prosperity, a free trade environment should be made accessible. In this…

Words 1661 - Pages 7

Mark Twain: The Gilded Age

was a age of rapid economic growth, improved technologies, and political tension. It was a major turning point for industrial workers, and American citizens. Laws and regulations transformed, and drastically changed peoples lives, whether it be through political corruption or modern technology. Although the gilded age was a time of great economic prosperity, and technological innovation, the political corruption which encompassed this era took away from its many prosperities. The administration…

Words 591 - Pages 3

The Great Gatsby Obstacles

citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Defining the American Dream allows us to recognize how societal forces reshape our communities—stemming from the early days of colonization and the determination of civilians willing to explore the new land that was America. Settlers came seeking religious freedom, economic opportunity, and land ownership. This notion has drastically changed. The way each…

Words 2419 - Pages 10

Jay Gatsby American Dream Failure

French historian, said, “The American Dream is the charm of anticipated success.” The “American Dream” Tocqueville refers to is the ideal that Americans are able to achieve social and economic prosperity. In the novel, Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is committed to obtaining wealth and prosperity to earn Daisy’s fruitful love. His rags-to-riches success story embodies the American Dream. The obstacles faced throughout his journey reveal that the American Dream is ceaseless, and…

Words 1449 - Pages 6

Essay Great Depression

Presentation Name: Xavier Last Name: Garcia Teacher: Mrs. Leonor Subject: US History School: MBHS Grade: 11 Topic: Essay 1920s vs 1930s For many Americans, the 1920s was a decade of prosperity and confidence. However, there were drastic changes economically, politically and socially through the course of 1920 to 1930. Which turned for Americans lives into a nightmare and what once was the land of wealth, prosperity and huge pride had become the land of desperation. Even though there was a…

Words 504 - Pages 3

Perils Of Prosperity Summary

William Leuchtenburg's book Perils of Prosperity perfectly describes what was going on in American society during 1920. The year 1920 was the first time in American history, people could afford to spend money without the stress of being able to put food in their mouth, put a roof over their heads, or even put clothes on their backs. Americans began to purchase anything and everything they could imagine. Middle-class families purchased vacuums, electric refrigerators, washers, and automobiles. Women…

Words 547 - Pages 3

How Did Ww2 Affect The Economy

World War II, fought from 1939- 1945, was an instrumental period in American history. World War II brought the United States out of the Great Depression by providing more job opportunities and encouraging the government to expand their spending. The Great Depression was a time in United States history in which there was a massive economic collapse, caused by a multitude of events. Economic historians have decided that the Depression can be tied to overproduction and underconsumption months before…

Words 804 - Pages 4

History Of America's Economy

12.1) 1920s Economy Economy Appears healthy Hoover was a self-made millionaire- widely admired Organized food relief in Europe during WW1 Sec. of Commerce under Harding-Coolidge “Wonderful Prosperity” 1925 market value of all stocks $27 billion 1928 alone stock values rose $11.4 billion Weathervane of nation’s economy Oct. 1929, stock values hit $87 billion Value of worker’s wages risen 40% Unemployment below 4% “Everybody Ought to be Rich” Business success became a religion for some 1929…

Words 576 - Pages 3

Great Depression Essay

The Great Depression1 The Great Depression: The World's Farthest Economic Decline Anthony Canuto US History 2 The Great Depression2 The Great Depression: The World's Farthest Economic Decline The Great Depression originated in America and spread to all nations when the stock market crashed in 1929, following World War II. It lasted until the early 1940's, about 12 years. On September 2, 1929, stock prices began to drop greatly, and on October 9,1929, the Wall Street Crash of 1929…

Words 1070 - Pages 5